Australian Cruising News

Out there on the world's oceans, thousands of cruising sailors are enjoying life on the 'seventh continent', unconcerned by the vagaries of the world's economy, stock market crashes or bounces and interminable conversations about 'what happens next'. They are the lucky ones.

You could also be one of the lucky sailors 'gone cruising' if you take advantage of Sunsail's luxury crewed boats in the Whitsundays. Talking of Queensland, a lot is happening there at the moment, $10m for boating infrastructure and a review of fishing and the environment. Kaz II, the catamaran that four WA sailors disappeared from, is for sale in Townsville.

There's a great age range among adventure sailors right now. 16 year old Zac Sunderland has just left Darwin in his quest to become the youngest circumnavigator in the world; and 74 year-old Minoru Saito, already the world's oldest circumnavigator, has just left Japan at the beginning of his eighth circumnavigation. Both are inspirational for their dedication and love of the sea.

Thinking of purchasing an Automatic Identification System (AIS) for your boat? Sydney-sider Neil Langford on Crystal Blues, cruising in South East Asia, begins the first of a three part series about the functions and installation of his transponder version.

Talking about safety issues, search and rescue organisations are integral to the safety of our cruising and racing sailors, so participating in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's SOLAS Raffle is a good way to support the services.

The Delicious Destination covered this week is the San Blas Islands in the western Caribbean, and if you are of a mind to feel envious(or not), read about the largest sailing boat in the world, the Maltese Falcon, which has just sailed into its owner's home port of San Francisco for the first time.

While the world's nations argue about how to control the pirates of Somalia, at Sail-World we would like to remind long range cruising sailors that there are three prime pirate hotspots to avoid - or think carefully about and do your own research: anywhere in the vicinity of the Gulf of Aden, Rio Dulce in Guatemala, and the coast of Venezuela and nearby islands. Of the three, interestingly enough, only Somalia has so far not had a fatal pirate incident for cruising sailors.

Read on, enjoy, and....

Sail safe!

Nancy Knudsen, Cruising Editor

Mystery Cat Kaz II for Sale Andrew Wight, Brisbane Times/Sail-World, A movie could be made about the fate of the 'ghost ship' the Kaz II, which has been put on the market. The Kaz II, dubbed the Mary Celeste of the Whitsundays and the subject of one of Australia's greatest maritime mysteries, has been listed by a Townsville broker for $225,000.... [more]

2009 Caribbean Canter Amy Hannon, Dreaming of sailing in the Caribbean? Join Mariner Boating, the Australian Boating specialist, for the Caribbean Canter from 20th April - 4th May 2009.... [more]

Sail Beats Power for Matrimony: It's official! John Boyce, NSW Charter Vessels take Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals in first National Bridal Industry Award for Marine Wedding Receptions.... [more]

Installing an AIS - One Cruiser's Experience Neil Langford, Lovely yacht Crystal Blues and its crew Neil and Ley Langford have been sailing in South East Asian waters for several years, blending with the landscape, meeting - and getting involved with - the local people, and having some amazing experiences. Here, Neil tells one person's experience with the installation of an AIS system on their yacht.This is the first of a three part series.... [more]

Sail in Style with Sunsail's luxury crewed boats Naomi McNamara, Do you dream about sailing around the beautiful Whitsunday islands but don't have the experience to charter a yacht? Australia's leading sailing holiday company, Sunsail Yacht Charters, offers an exciting package especially designed for people who just want to sit back, relax and take in the stunning scenery of the Whitsunday islands.... [more]

Destination: The San Blas Islands of the Caribbean Nancy Knudsen, One of the most idyllic sailing destinations on earth is the San Blas Islands, as it is both a luxuriant cruising ground, and populated by one of the most fascinating people on earth, the Kuna Indians. So why aren't more sailors there? Because it is situated between Colombia and Panama in the Caribbean, and, lacking nearby charter bases, it has always been difficult to sail to - until now... [more]

CYCA launches Safety of Life at Sea Raffle 2008 Jennifer Crooks, The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia has launched the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Raffle 2008. The major prize is 5 nights on Hamilton Island staying at the Reef View Hotel.... [more]

$10 million for boating infrastructure in C Qld Paul Hoolihan MP - Member for Keppel, Central Queensland boaties will benefit from a $10 million boating infrastructure boost from the State Government, Member for Keppel, Paul Hoolihan, announced today.... [more]

Independent Review for Queensland Fishery Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Arts, Environment Minister Peter Garrett has commissioned an independent review of proposed new management arrangements for Queensland's East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery to assist in his upcoming assessment of the fishery under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).... [more]

'09-'12 Edition - The Equipment Rules of Sailing ISAF Media, The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) announced this week The Equipment Rules of Sailing for 2009-2012 has been made available to download online ahead of the worldwide date of implementation on 1 January 2009... [more]

Maltese Falcon- World's Longest Yacht Sails 'Home' BW Media Roundup, San Francisco Bay Area residents got a glimpse at one of the most luxurious private yachts in the world as it made its way through San Francisco Bay yesterday (Saturday). While it is owned by American Tom Perkins, a legendary Silicon Valley figure, this is the first time that the yacht has entered a port in the USA - and it won't be sailing under Sydney Harbour Bridge any time soon... [more]

Hero Nurses Save Sailor's Life and Vanish LLoyd Vaughan,Somerset Gazette/Sail-World, Locals are wondering about the identity of the two mystery hero nurses who ran to the assistance of a 44 year-old sailor who had been knocked unconscious by a falling mast in Watchet Marina in Somerset UK, and then departed the scene when the rescue team and ambulance arrived.... [more]

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